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Broncos star Von Miller suspended four games by NFL due to drug policy

If the Broncos are to get off to a decent start in their Super Bowl-or-bust season of 2013, quarterback Peyton Manning and the offense might have to outscore 'em.

Denver's defense took a serious blow Monday when it was learned the NFL had informed star pass rusher Von Miller he is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's drug policy.

Miller has appealed the suspension. George Atallah of the NFL players association stated through twitter that Miller's "case does not involve the Steroids and Related Substances Policy."

That would imply Miller is in violation of the league's substance-abuse policy. The Denver Post has received documentation stating Miller had multiple positive tests for marijuana and an undisclosed amphetamine during his rookie season of 2011. It's unclear whether the league considered those positive tests as one "failed" incident.

Under the NFL's substance-abuse policy, a player cannot be disciplined with a four-game suspension until after he has been placed in "Stage 2" of the intervention program.

Once in stage 2, a player who fails a drug test would be fined four 17ths of his salary, and suspended four games, if he fails to comply with stage 1. Once in stage 2, players are subject to random drug testing up to 10 times a month.

Players move to stage 3 if they have two positive tests when in stage 2 or one positive test to go with one instance when the player failed to comply with the program. The minimum suspension for a violation in stage 3 is a calendar year.

The suspension could cost Miller nearly $1.35 million in prorated salary and signing bonus. He is scheduled to draw a $2.28 million salary this year. Missing four weeks of the 17-week season would cause him to forfeit a little more than $537,400. Then there is the $13.773 million signing bonus Miller received as the No. 2 draft pick in 2011. It's possible the Broncos would be entitled to ask Miller for a prorated payback of nearly $810,200 of that signing bonus.

Von Miller (Denver Post file)

Miller stated his innocence in a tweet Monday: "Seeing reports about a 4 game suspension. I know I did nothing wrong. I'm sure this will be resolved fairly. Disappointed Broncos have to open camp like this."

The possibility of Miller's four-game suspension caps a promising-turned-ugly offseason for the Broncos. It started well with the free-agent signings of receiver Wes Welker, guard Louis Vasquez and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and the additions of defensive tackle Sylvester Williams and running back Montee Ball through the draft.

But the Broncos lost Elvis Dumervil in an embarrassing transaction snafu that caused the pass-rushing defensive end to become released into free agency. Dumervil wound up signing with the Baltimore Ravens. More recently, the Broncos suspended two of their top front-office executives, Matt Russell and Tom Heckert, after their arrests on drunken driving charges.

Losing Dumervil and Miller more directly impacts the Broncos on the field. The Broncos tied for the NFL lead with 52 sacks last season, 29½ from Miller and Dumervil.

Miller's absence would be particularly devastating, as defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio builds his attack around his strong-side linebacker. Miller's unique pass-rushing ability — besides his speed and strength he has a rare flexibility that allows him to slip blocks — had Del Rio moving him around to avoid double teams.

Seeing reports abt 4 game susp. I know I did nothing wrong. I'm sure this'll be resolved fairly. Disapp. Broncos have 2 open camp like this.

Miller was the NFL's defensive rookie of the year in 2011 after he recorded 11½ sacks, and he bettered that in 2012 with 18½ sacks. He was named to the AFC Pro Bowl team each of his first two seasons.

The Broncos have the best odds, at 5-to-1, to win the Super Bowl among the league's 32 teams, according to the Las Vegas Hotel & Casino. But the Broncos keep getting in their own way. They open the NFL season Sept. 5 with a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Dumervil will be there — for Baltimore. Miller may not be there for the Broncos.

In week 2, the Broncos play at the New York Giants against quarterback Eli Manning, who is Peyton's younger brother. The Broncos will play games 3 and 4 at home against the Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles.

The Broncos report to training camp Wednesday. Miller will be able to participate in training camp and the preseason, but if he loses his appeal he would have to leave the team after the final preseason game until he is reinstated.

It's rare when a player wins an appeal on a drug policy, but it does happen. Most notably, Broncos running back Travis Henry won an appeal on a positive marijuana test in 2007.

If Miller loses his appeal, he likely would be replaced at starting strong-side linebacker by Shaun Phillips. A longtime San Diego Chargers linebacker, Phillips became a free agent and signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Broncos in late April.

Phillips was to share playing time with right defensive end Robert Ayers, but he likely will now get training camp repetitions at Miller's position.

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